The doctrine of the atonement is very immoral and no one can begin to estimate the wickedness it has fostered in society, by leading people to believe they can pass through life committing all sorts of crimes and at last, when they find themselves about to die, can call upon Jesus and find eternal life “by believing on his name.”
“Long as the lamp holds out to burn
The vilest sinner may return.”
“This couplet has helped many a one to die easy.” Oh, yes, it has, but it has encouraged too many to live easy—to live entirely too easy—so easy that they did not need to gain intelligence, to practice morality and pay their honest debts.
“Between the saddle and the ground
Was mercy asked and pardon found.”
A salvation so extemporaneously performed, I fear could not endure; it resembles too closely the winter revivals whose fruits have all disappeared before the summer’s harvest is over.
“Nothing, either great or small,
Nothing, sinner, no!
Jesus did, did it all